embezzle

verb

em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
em-
embezzled; embezzling im-ˈbe-zə-liŋ How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
-ˈbez-liŋ,
em-

transitive verb

: to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
embezzled thousands of dollars
embezzlement noun
embezzler
im-ˈbe-zə-lər How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
em-
-ˈbez-lər
noun

Did you know?

English is full of verbs that mean “to steal” (such as pilfer, rob, swipe, plunder, filch, and thieve). But when it comes to stealing property (and in this context, money is a kind of property) that has been entrusted to you, embezzle wins the prize. The word most often refers to theft of company or government funds that one has charge of, and embezzlement is therefore a hallmark of white-collar crime—that is, crime committed by so-called white-collar workers. In the 15th century, around the time that embezzlement entered English (the ultimate root is Anglo-French besiller “to steal, plunder”), it would have also been possible to say that such plunderers “bezzled” company cash, but bezzle is now considered obsolete.

Examples of embezzle in a Sentence

He was caught embezzling money from his clients. He was convicted of embezzling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
McDaniel was caught and paid some of the money back, but then continued to embezzle more funds, the lawsuit alleges. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Le Pen’s hopes of becoming France’s president in 2027 were cut short on Monday when a Paris court blocked her from standing for office for five years, after she was found guilty of embezzling European Union funds. Todd Symons, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025 Charter school fraud with public tax dollars is real (just last February another charter school CEO admitted to embezzling over $900,00). Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 According to The New York Times, Selena and her family accused Saldívar of embezzling money from the singer's businesses during a meeting on March 2, 1995. Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embezzle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embesilen, from Anglo-French embesiller to make away with, from en- + besiller to steal, plunder

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embezzle was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Embezzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embezzle. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

embezzle

verb
em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbez-əl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
embezzled; embezzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
: to take (property entrusted to one's care) dishonestly for one's own use
embezzled thousands of dollars
embezzlement noun
embezzler noun

Legal Definition

embezzle

transitive verb
em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
embezzled; embezzling
: to convert (property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use compare defalcate
embezzlement noun
embezzler noun
Etymology

Anglo-French embeseiller to make away with, from en-, prefix stressing completion + beseller to snatch, misappropriate, from Old French, to destroy

More from Merriam-Webster on embezzle

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